Henry Gordon Gruber

Henry G. Gruber, 97, of Chestertown, MD, passed away April 3, 2023. A son of Harvey and Lola Ludmilla (Balcerowicz) Gruber, Henry was born March 24, 1926, in Philadelphia. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, the former Marie Gerety, in 2012; his brother Ray, who was killed in action during World War II in 1944; and a grandson, Matthew Gruber. Henry is survived by six children: Janice (Charles) Haney; Philip (Donna) Gruber; James (Trish, deceased) Gruber; Margaret (Brian) Young; Raymond (Sung-Li Lin) Gruber; and Henry W. Gruber (former wife Rosemary McCulley). He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Megan Haney (Steven Yash), Matthew Haney and Shea Haney (Devin Canup); Laura Rossi, Adam (Katherine) Gruber, Joshua Gruber and Zachary Gruber (partner Lainey Baer); Daniel Young; and Jason and Jackson Gruber, as well as 11 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include a sister, Ellen Dardis; nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews. Henry served in the U.S. Army during World War II, including in the Philippines and on occupation duty in Japan after hostilities ceased. Following his discharge, he resumed his college education, earning a degree in chemistry from LaSalle University in 1948. After relocating to the Chestertown area in 1953, he worked for Lehigh Chemical Products, subsequently Tenneco Chemicals, from where he retired in 1984 as the manager of the Worton plant. He was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Chestertown, where he served through the years as a lector and Eucharistic minister, and on the building and finance committees. Henry was an active participant in many community organizations throughout his life, including serving on their boards and holding other key leadership positions. These organizations included the American Legion, Heron Point, Hospice of Kent County, Kent Center, Kent County Chamber of Commerce (president, 1972), Kent Youth, Mental Health Association of Maryland, Rotary Club and Salvation Army. Henry also served on the Chestertown Town Council, Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Utilities Commission. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church at 11 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2023, with the Rev. Patrick D. Bergquist officiating. After the service, from noon to 2 p.m., there will be visitation with the family and light refreshments in the church’s social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Henry can be made to Community Food Pantry, 401 High St., Chestertown, MD 21620, or to the American Heart Association.

Henry Gordon Gruber

March 24, 1926 - April 3, 2023